They found many ways in which to see each other.  Dulcie had a little town car, and she picked Mills up at all hours and took him on long and lovely rides, from which he returned ecstatic, with wild flowers in his coat and a knowledge of work left undone.

Gossip began to fly about.  Aunt Priscilla warned Dulcie.

“It is a dangerous thing to do, my dear.  People will talk.”

“What do Mills and I care for people?  Oh, if it were not for Mary—­” She had just come in from a ride with Mills, and her eyes were shining.

“I wish we were not dining there to-night,” said Aunt Priscilla.  “I wonder how Mary manages a dinner of eight with only one servant.”

“She is so splendid and competent, Aunt Cilla.  Mills says so.  Everybody says it.  Things are easy for her that would be hard for other people.”

“I wonder what she thinks of you?”

Dulcie, drawing off her gloves, meditated.

“I fancy she likes me.  I know I love her, but not so much as I love Mills.”

Fifteen years ago Dulcie would have died rather than admit her love for a married man.  But since then she had seen life through the eyes of a worldly-minded old husband, and it had made a difference.

At dinner that night Dulcie was exquisite in orchid tulle with a string of pearls that hung to her knees.  Her hair was like ripe corn, waved and parted on the side with a girlish knot behind.  Her skin was as fresh as a baby’s.  Mary was in black net.  She had been very busy helping the cook, and she had had little time to spend on her hair.  She looked ten years older than Dulcie, and her mind was absolutely on the dinner.  The dinner was really very good.  Mills had been extremely anxious about it.  He had called up Mary from down-town to tell her that he was bringing home fresh asparagus.  He wanted it served as an extra course with Hollandaise sauce.  Mary protested, but gave in.  It was the Hollandaise sauce that had kept her from curling her hair.

There were orchids for a centerpiece—­in harmony with Dulcie’s gown.  In fact, the whole dinner seemed keyed up to Dulcie.  The guests were for the most part literary folk, to whom Mills wanted to display his Egeria.  After dinner Dulcie sang for them.  She had set to music the words of one of Mills’ poems, and she was much applauded.

After everybody had gone Mary went to bed with a headache.  She was glad that it was Saturday, for Sunday promised a rest.  She decided to send the children over to her mother and to have a quiet day with Mills.  She wouldn’t even go to church in the morning.  There was an afternoon service; perhaps she and Mills might go together.

But Mills had other plans.  He walked as far as the church door with Mary, and left her there.  Mary wasn’t sorry to be left; her headache had returned, and she was glad to sit alone in the peaceful dimness.  But the pain proved finally too much for her, so she slipped out quietly and went home.